Staff

Refuge retains a staff of state-licensed counselors who have completed advanced training and credentialing in counseling and psychotherapy. All Refuge counselors uphold the standards and best practices of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC).

Scheduling

To schedule an appointment with a specific counselor, please contact them directly. For general scheduling questions, please click the link below.

Alaina Henry MA, LPC, NCC

Clinical Director of Refuge Nampa Office

My approach to counseling comes from a belief that therapy is an addition to your personal toolbox of mental health resources. Counseling can be a help in making sense of complex situations, parsing out difficult existential questions, and celebrating the richness that life can offer. I believe it is an honor to come alongside someone and be allowed to walk with them on life's journey. I offer compassionate and empathetic therapy, while working with you to manage, maintain, and find meaning out of life, however complicated that may look.

Education and Clinical Experience:

Master of Arts in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling from George Fox University

Double Bachelor's in Biblical Studies/Theology and Communications from Multnomah University

Advanced training in EMDR

In the past I ran a private practice, was a part of a crisis mobile response unit, and was a family therapist for a large agency.

I have varied background working in numerous church ministry positions, public affairs, and various side jobs such as teaching snowboarding and dance.

I am a registered supervisor in the state of Idaho.

Personal Interest:

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my husband, daughter, and twin boys. I enjoy cooking, traveling, drinking too much coffee, and being outdoors.

Lindsay Ralston MS, LCPC, NCC

Clinical Director of Refuge Meridian Office

As a counselor, I am committed to creating a safe and inviting place to address and explore a wide range of challenges, whether those present through relationships, anxiety, depression, spirituality, grief, or barriers preventing joy and peace. When experiencing difficulties, we can often feel isolated and like we are the only one. My hope is to provide a place to be heard, understood and known, and then begin to move toward healing and renewed hope. Additionally, I am trained in EMDR, which is researched-based therapy that can help you move past distressing events and beliefs.

Together, we can collaborate as we explore your life story, tap into your strengths and values, and incorporate tools to utilize while moving toward a healthier you. I firmly believe it is a privilege and honor to walk beside you through the unique experience of counseling. Please feel free to reach out at any time.

Education and Clinical Experience:

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Idaho

Registered Supervisor in Idaho

Advanced training in EMDR

Master's Degree in Counseling, Northwest Nazarene University

Bachelor's in Psychology, Boise State University

Personal Interests:

I enjoy time with my husband and family (usually involving good food and good conversation), traveling and exploring new places, hiking with my favorite golden retriever pup, and investing in my friendships.

Dori Halbert M.Ed, LCPC

Executive Director of Refuge Counseling and Wellness Center

My approach to counseling is from an attachment perspective that explores how we learned to connect with others at an early age, and the role it plays in navigating healthy adult relationships with God, ourselves, and others. Together, we will explore personal goals and how to nurture secure relationships so that you might move toward a more healthy and wholesome life. I work with a wide range of presenting issues including trauma, anxiety, grief, and life transitions. As director and clinical supervisor at Refuge, I carry a limited caseload, primarily working with counselors and individuals serving in vocational ministry settings.

Education and Clinical Experience:

M.Ed. in counseling from Northwest Nazarene University, 2003

B.S. in Social Science from Boise State University, 2000

Advanced training in EMDR and Emotion-Focused Therapy

Personal Interest:

I had the privilege of leading the team that founded Refuge Counseling and Wellness Center in 2007 out of a desire to help people experience healing through affordable Christian counseling services. My husband Jim and I are the founding pastors of Crossroads Community Church and enjoy leading treks to Israel to study the Bible in its context. My free time is spent camping, reading, and enjoying my four grandsons.

Counselors

Stephanie Baker MS, LPC, NCC

I seek to help clients feel empowered to explore life issues leading to a personal growth process. I specialize in offering relationship assistance for both individuals and couples. Many couples seek to improve communication or enhance relationship satisfaction, and therapy can be a natural step in this process. I do additional work in areas of stress management, anxiety/depression, women's concerns, and matters of faith.

My approach is integrative, compassionate, and genuine. It is my privilege to inspire clients on their path toward greater self-understanding and wholeness. For relational or individual assistance, email me today.

Education and Clinical Experience:

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor.

I hold a Master's degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family studies, and a Bachelor's in Psychology from Northwest Nazarene University.

I have training in EMDR therapy, a therapy that has helped many find relief from stress, anxiety, or trauma.

Nate Berrian MS, LPC, NCC

I approach counseling from an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) perspective. ACT is a behavioral model that seeks to align each individual's behavior with their values. I enjoy working with individuals and couples from all walks of life. Together we will strive to meet your personal goals in a safe, nonjudgmental environment. I offer compassion and empathy to explore a variety of issues, such as, anxiety, depression, spirituality, relationship issues, existential dilemmas, and grief/trauma.

Education and Clinical Experience:

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master's Degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Logotherapy from Northwest Nazarene University.

I also completed my Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications from Northwest Nazarene University.

I have received additional is training in EMDR, Clinical Hypnotherapy, and Logotherapy.

Personal Interests:I live in Nampa Idaho and enjoy watching movies, listening to a variety of music, spending time in the garden, and adventuring with my wife.

Logan Gilmore, LMSW

I enjoy coming alongside those who are working through life's challenges. I am willing to work with anyone who comes through my door, and I address issues with empathy, compassion, and use a strengths-based approach. I have a background in working with substance abuse treatment, depression, anxiety, relationship conflict, codependency, and trauma. I want nothing more than to provide a safe space and an open ear to all those who meet with me.

Education and Clinical Experience:

I am a Licensed Master Social Worker.

I have a Master's degree in Social Work and an emphasis in Community Mental Health from Northwest Nazarene University.

I completed my Bachelor's degree in Social Work with a double minor in communication science and psychology from Northwest Nazarene University.

I work as a full-time social worker at Saint Alphonsus Medical Center as a medical health professional.

I have training in EMDR therapy, a therapy that has helped many find relief from stress, anxiety, or trauma.

Personal Interests:

I profess a love for coffee, the outdoors, and spending as much time as possible with my wife and our dog.

Lindsey Trowbridge, MS, LPC

Through my work experience at a large mental health agency, I have had the opportunity to work with clients of all ages and a wide range of mental health challenges. My approach to counseling with teens and adults is from the perspective of acceptance and compassion, to meet clients right where they are at, and assist them in their journey to gain the tools they need to achieve their goals. I have experience working with adults and teenagers who are seeking help with depression, anxiety, grief, divorce, traumatic experiences, and other life challenges.

I have a passion for working with (playing with) children who are experiencing life challenges (depression, anxiety, divorce, abuse/neglect, difficulty communicating emotions effectively, ADHD, etc.). I have training in utilizing play and art therapy techniques with children, and am in the process of becoming a Registered Play Therapist. Children communicate through their play and are able to process through their strong feelings of fear, anger, and depression in this way. I strongly believe in the power of integrating spiritual growth in play therapy when integration fits with the needs of the child and their family. My goal when providing play therapy to a child is to come alongside the parent(s)/guardian(s), to support the family system as a whole, and I am available to provide parenting assistance.

I am currently able to accept some insurance plans. Please contact me if you are interested in discussing possible options with insurance.

Education and Clinical Experience:

I completed my Bachelor's degree in Psychology and then later my Master's in Clinical Counseling through Northwest Nazarene University.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Idaho.

I have training in utilizing play and art therapy techniques with children, and am in the process of becoming a Registered Play Therapist.

Since becoming a counselor, I have provided counseling services to adults and children experiencing a wide range of mental health challenges in a community agency setting.

Personal Interests:

In 2007, I married my best friend and we have two incredible sons together. I had the amazing opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom while completing my Master's. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, going for walks/hikes and being in nature.

Claudia Mehlhaff MS, LPC

I treasure time working with individuals of all ages, couples, families, with a special enjoyment working with adolescents. My therapeutic approach includes ideas from many theories, however, connecting with clients on a personal level is most important to me. Giving clients a safe place to tell their stories and be truly heard begins the process of finding and using tools for healing. Many of us experience anxiety, depression, grief, and other threats to joyful living. I want to partner with clients in pursuing health and wholeness.

Education and Clinical Experience:

I have a Master's degree from Northwest Nazarene University in Counseling and a Bachelor's degree in Bible and Elementary Education from Calvary Univeristy.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Idaho and a certified teacher.

I taught for over 30 years, 20 years of which were with middle school students. I have been an elementary school counselor as well.

I came to Refuge Counseling Center as an intern, and stayed on once I received my license to practice. The connection with the Refuge team is one I highly value.

Personal Interests:

My free time is spent reading and cooking, but my favorite activities involve time with my three beautiful daughters, two sons-in-love, and four fabulous grandblessings.

Christen Nelson MS, LPC, NCC

I primarily counsel women, couples, and families. I have strengths in working with marital and relationship distress, codependency, anxiety, depression, trauma/abuse recovery, and faith issues. I believe in challenging my clients to achieve their goals, all while supporting each unique person with love and grace. While I love the standard, "How does that make you feel?" question, I believe good counseling must go deeper. I ask my clients to work as hard as I am and challenge them to do so.

I particularly enjoy working with couples experiencing relationship distress. I value helping couples gain the skills to enjoy fulfilling, joy-filled relationships. I believe that great relationships require more than just "better communication skills," and love helping couples gain the tools to increase intimacy and deep connection.

I profess a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and am comfortable exploring issues of spirituality throughout the counseling process. However, you need not be a Christian to participate in counseling with me. I will always respect your personal belief system and seek to provide an environment of dignity and respect to all.

Education and Clinical Experience:

Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Idaho

National Certified Counselor

Master's Degree in Counseling, Northwest Nazarene University

Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Cinema and Broadcast Arts, Azusa Pacific University

Personal Interests:

I have two beautiful and brilliant babies and an amazing husband whom I love to try and impress whenever possible (mostly with cooking very flavorful dinners and my ability to name types of construction vehicles—neither of which is a natural talent). I believe laughter is definitely some of the best medicine and try to have a sense of humor about most things. I love any sort of game or sport I might win at, as I relish some good-old-fashioned competition.

Barry McGarrah, MFT Intern

Community Relations Director and Pastoral Counselor

As Community Relations Director at Refuge Counseling Center, my responsibility is to build relationships with local entities to communicate the services that Refuge has to offer the people of the Treasure Valley. I will work alongside the counselors at Refuge to create and facilitate support groups through the Wellness Center, as well as offer Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Direction to local ministers.

Education and Clinical Experience:

I have been serving in various full-time pastoral roles since graduating from Boise Bible College with a degree in Pastoral Ministries in 2001.

I am currently finishing up my Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Cappella University.

I have leadership experience in youth ministry, worship ministry, and church planting, and have served in both Associate Pastor and Lead Pastor roles.

I have training in EMDR therapy, a therapy that has helped many find relief from stress, anxiety, or trauma.

Personal Interests:

I have been married to my wife since 1999, and together we have two children. I am an excellent cook and love preparing a variety of ethnic foods. Additionally, my wife and I are avid hunters and gatherers, and enjoy pursuing big game, shed hunting, and picking morel mushrooms and huckleberries in the high country of Idaho.

Alexis Staeb, LMSW

I am passionate about working with people of all ages that are facing issues related to trauma, core beliefs, relationships, emotion identification and expression, grief and loss, and other issues impacting an individual’s functioning and well-being. I am a trauma informed therapist, drawing from psychodynamic, attachment, experiential, and systems theories. Using modalities such as EMDR and Narrative Therapy, I collaborate with clients to explore the heart of the issue, strengthen core beliefs, and increase insight and understanding that help lead to transformation and growth.

My desire is to provide a safe and healing atmosphere to process traumatic experiences, relationship wounds, and circumstantial challenges. As a witness to your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, I want you to feel seen, heard, and understood. It is an honor to meet you where you’re at, to form a therapeutic connection, and to walk alongside you as you move toward wholeness.

Education and Clinical Experience:

Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)

Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS); Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE)

I delight in sensory experiences and adventurous exploits (i.e. swimming with sharks). I also appreciate quiet moments by the fireplace enjoying a hug in a cup while reading a delightful book (i.e. The Little Prince). The passage from The Velveteen Rabbit, about becoming real and being loved, is something I embrace as experienced truth. Tiny humans bring me excessive amounts of joy, laughter, strength, and peace. Above all else, I value investing intentional time, energy, and effort into my relationships with loved ones. My faith and personal beliefs are my why.

Group Support and Education Counselors

Gene Auker, MS, LPC, NCC

My hope and desire as a counselor, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is to walk alongside couples who desire to grow, heal, and create a healthy intimate relationship with God and one another. I help couples identify, understand, and change frustrating reactive relational patterns that leave them feeling hurt, discouraged, and disconnected.

I offer a ten-week relationship growth experience for couples entitled Lessons of Love. Using How We Love by Milan & Kay Yerkovich, I combine small group education with private couple counseling/coaching sessions to maximize growth and reinforce skill building. Learn more about How We Love at www.howwelove.com. Check under the Wellness tab above for additional information and up-coming dates.

Education and Clinical Experience:

I received a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Northwest Nazarene University.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Idaho and a National Certified Counselor.

I have completed the Level 3 Practicum Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and have additional training in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT).

I am a certified SYMBIS (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts) Facilitator.

Personal Interests:

My wife, April, and I are Idaho natives and have been learning to love for over three decades. We enjoy hanging with friends, bicycling around the valley, and walks on beach whenever we can get there.